The Metal Crypt on Facebook  The Metal Crypt's YouTube Channel

Interviews The Chasm

Interview with Daniel Corchado (Vocals/Guitar)

Interview conducted by Barbara Williams (Crowley)

Date online: February 13, 2003


I understand that the founding members still with the band are Daniel and Antonio.

The Actual line up is conformed of Me, Daniel Corchado on Guitar and vokills, Antonio Leon on Drums, Julio Viterbo on Guitars (he joined in 1998), and Alfonso Polo who joined forces in early 2000.

Why The Chasm? Who came up with the name?

I came up with the name, which really symbolizes and reflects the way I see my own existence, a very grim and dark mental and spiritual abyss, where my deepest emotions are always falling and facing a very empty and stupid reality better known as life on this traitor Earth.

How would you describe The Chasm to someone who's never heard your music before?

Total Metal of death, deeply rooted in the most extreme and obscure ancient rules of traditional heavy speed/thrash/death metal with a very unique and distinctive sound, uncompromising and totally against any form of trendism and weak will.Metal-forged sound to praise Death and the dead, a very bizarre form of expression and a very anxiety-filled deep state of mind…

You have your own production company now. Is that working better for you and are you producing/recording other bands as well?

It is much better when we are recording since we don't have to worry about running out of budget in the studio, and we can concentrate more in doing whatever we want in the recordings sessions, getting' the sound we need. A negative point is that since we are recording everything on a PC, the final sound is not as big and warm as in a pro studio, but fuck it! We are not signed to a bigger label; so we don't have the cash to do better… anyway, the most important thing is that the passion and intensity of THE CHASM is very present and strong in each release, no matter how they sound. It is much more stressful for me but I really don't care. This music is my life and I do whatever it takes to accomplish my/our goals…so far, no other band has been produced by Lux Inframundis.

How do you write your music? Is there a set guideline or do you write what you feel as you go along?

Our riffage/composition come straight from mind, heart, body and soul; there's no guideline to follow; as long as we totally feel the power and glory of our music we'll use it; as long as it is true and honest to us and is part of the glorious golden rules of heavy metal, we 'll definitely do it…this is no game, nor hobby; this is our life and blood…

How do you get the inspiration for writing your lyrics?

The lycial concept of The Chasm is a pure gathering of my innermost feelings, a wide spectrum of ideas and thoughts that are within myself . I'm not inspired by anything else but by myself and by my inner temple, by utter victory, hatred, depression, and death, a philophical way of seeing my life, past, present, and future, in this world and mainly in the other.

Do you write together or separately (lyrics and music)?

It's all written separately in a way; I mean, the concept has to be melted, music and lyrics… hard to explain, but it's pretty much done in a very natural and progressive way, and the feeling of the music has to be a big part of the lyrics and visa versa.

How did the change of members in such a short period of time affect the evolution of the way you put the songs together?

It really didn't affect it a lot since the backbone of The Chasm and main structure lies with Antonio and me. When Julio joined forces, he already knew what we were all about. I mean, we have been friends since the 80's and he's a fuckin' demon axe maniac. He knew he had to adapt his tremendous style to ours. It was just a matter of months, and it was all for the best. I think the style has evolved into a more devastating and obscure way.

How would you describe (or categorize) your style of vocals?

I simply have a style that derivates from my anxiety to reach the other side, the purest feelings of hatred, vengeance, victory, sadness and pride-sometimes all mixed, sometimes separated as pure different entities and at the end, they all become part of our chaotic style. This is real, not fake. We wanna be aggressive-sounding! Annoying "modern" stupid vocals! That's only for pathetic, idiotic pseudo-metal people…The Chasm is pure honest dark feeling all the way. Like it or not!

Which bands are on your list of favorites? If I were to look through your CD collection, what would I find?

Damn, a tough one… I'm a fan of any form of real and honest metal, be it heavy, thrash, black, speed, or death. I'm also a progressive rock freak; some of my faves are CANDLEMASS, SLAYER, SABBATH, ARROW, MAGMA, HAPPY FAMILY, ESPERANTO, NIFELHEIM, MAIDEN, ACCEPT, SAXON, CELTIC FROST, AUTOPSY, CARNAGE, POKOLGEP, TANK, VANGELIS, KREATOR, SARCOFAGO, ILL BALLETO DI BRONZO, BLASPHEMY, DEAD CONSPIRACY, NECROVORE, ABSU, MERCILESS, MUTILATOR, PENTAGRAM (CHI), MESSIAH, DEFENDER, STORMWITCH, DEMON EYES, CITRON, OSTROGOTH, BLACK SHEPERD, PRIEST, DIO, BLOOD FEAST, and a lot, lot more.

Which cities have you played? Any plans to go on tour? If so, where and when and with whom?

There are no plans to go on tour right now. We haven't received any decent offers. Only time shall tell, but we are planning to do a mini-tour in Texas next year. We'll see! So far here in the USA, we have played in Maryland, Chicago, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland, New York, and New Jersey as well as in several states of Mexico a few years back.

Besides Metal, what other types of music do you listen to?

As I mentioned, I'm a big follower of obscure and not-so obscure progressive bands, progressive Jazz, some soundtracks and some Classical Music.

Do you keep up with Metal Magazines? Which ones do you read or like the best?

Yes, once in a while I still read some good 'ol zines. My faves today are SLAYER, DESECRATION OF VIRGIN, TESTAMENT, WORMGEAR, CERBERUS, MIDWEST METAL, SNAKE PIT, ETERNAL FIRE and some more.

Outside of playing Metal, what kinds of things do you enjoy doing?

I'm a very creative person, I think. I'm also a tattoo artist. I enjoy drawing and especially doing digital designs and graphics. Once in a while, I also do some kit-modeling when I have the time. Anything, as long as my mind is busy but overall, I prefer to create music.

Do you guys have other "regular" jobs? How do you divide your time? What's your typical day like?

Yes, we have a normal, regular life besides the band. It's the sadness of reality that we have to work in order to keep going with the band. Our regular day is just to go to work and after that we'll go to practice (about 3-4 times a week. That's the best part of the day.

Will you be offering any mp3s on mp3.com to attract new fans?

I don't think so. I'm not really interested in attracting new fans. Anyone who is into obscure heavy metal of death should know about us by now even if they don't like the band. I'm not interested in having new fans that go to those websites in search of "new talent." The majority of those people are into IN FLAMES or PANTERA or so, and we really don't want those kind of people into our cult. This is much more obscure and personal-not for everybody.

Do you think you're attracting new fans or are you pretty much catering for the ones who have been with you from the beginning?

Probably. I mean, it is the way it looks right now. 80-90% of our supporters have been with us since a long time ago and we are fine like that. IT is ok to get new people into our music as long as they really understand and feel our style/concept and the real meaning of the words "Underground" and "Metal of Death," you know?

How is the music and being "The Chasm" connected with the person you are? Is your band image a reflection of you or completely separate?

I think my music reflects a lot of my personality. I'm a very angry person, but I just couldn't go out there and start beating or killing people. It wouldn't be a very smart thing to do, so the aggression of some parts of our songs are a total reflection of that side of me. The same goes for a variety of feelings that dwell within my inner temple.

Any video releases in the planning?

Not for a 'real' full-length video; not for now-but Conjuration of the Spectral Empire will include a bonus video track on mpeg-1 format (so anyone can watch it on his computer or in almost any DVD player). This 12 min.-long video is comprised of different shots from diverse live attacks we have done; we decided to do it because a lot of believers, especially from Europe, will never witness our live destruction due to several reasons, so at least they'll have some idea of what is going on with us when we hit the stage. It's something special, dedicated to all those who support our Cult of Death.

Thanks so much

Thank you, Barbara, for this interview and your support, Spread the word about our cult, and everybody out there who still feels the passion and darkness for authentic metal of death prepare for THE CONJURATION… Die for Metal and live for Death!

Other information about The Chasm on this site
Review: Reaching The Veil Of Death
Review: Procession To The Infraworld
Review: Conjuration Of The Spectral Empire
Review: Procession To The Infraworld
Review: Deathcult For Eternity... The Triumph
Review: The Spell of Retribution
Review: The Spell of Retribution
Review: The Spell of Retribution
Review: Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm
Review: A Conscious Creation from the Isolated Domain - Phase I
Review: The Scars of a Lost Reflective Shadow




The Metal Crypt - Crushing Posers Since 1999
Copyright  © 1999-2024, Michel Renaud / The Metal Crypt.  All Rights Reserved.